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Dawlish Museum
Dawlish Museum
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
With 11 rooms over 3 floors the museum is most famous for its display of Piper Bill Millins D-Day bagpipes. The displays in Dawlish Museum are regularly updated and depict life past and present in the town and notably tell the story of the February storm of 2014 which severely damaged the railway line. A vast archive of 100's of rare historical photographs can be seen in both album form or on the new library P.C. Children as well as adults are well catered for and there are many fun activities for them to do such as the dressing up outfits and the Black Swan Trail. The Museum is entirely run by volunteers, is self funding and recently proudly gained official accreditation. A DVD of the Great Storm is available to buy and a rolling preview can be seen in the Great Storm display room.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
69 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
k r
Weston super Mare, UK2,724 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
With a spare hour to spend I called in to this fascinating museum.
The volunteers were friendly and very enthusiastic and explained about the history of the museum building, and about the contents.
I enjoyed looking around the exhibits and could have spent much longer it was very interesting. When the museum opens for the 2024 season I will be living locally so will be back for a better look around.
The volunteers were friendly and very enthusiastic and explained about the history of the museum building, and about the contents.
I enjoyed looking around the exhibits and could have spent much longer it was very interesting. When the museum opens for the 2024 season I will be living locally so will be back for a better look around.
Written October 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Weston super Mare, UK47 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
This was a real surprise. The Dawlish Museum is just up towards the top of the river, a 10 minute walk but a car ride in no time with a good size car park. The museum has, without any doubt, the most wide ranging of categories with rooms divided into selected areas of collections. My wife and I were most surprised to find that the museum was a bit like the "Tardis" - not large from the outside but a very different story once inside. Several rooms of artifacts on each of 3 or 4 floors. This is an extraordinary venue for young persons to add to their education. For this alone, I certainly recommend a visit here. I am well past my sell-by date and had found this a most interesting visit. The staff are friendly and helpful and a museum of true value to the community of and around Dawlish. There is a fee at the door. £2 per adult but fossils like myself pay just £1. Children too. This is a must for visitor.
Written June 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deltronic
Amersham, UK49 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Local museums can be boring and lack any real interest apart for residents. I am pleased to say this isn't one of those.
We were greeted in a very friendly manner and paid the small entrance fee. They receive no funding and rely on visitors and donations. The first room grabbed us and we spent a good hour looking around reading all the information about Piper Bill Millins and his exploits on D-Day. What a story, what a man! He lived in Dawlish for 40 years. The rest of the museum is a story and history of Dawlish which includes the Great Storm of 2014 which virtually washed the railway line away and caused so much damage to the town.
It is well worth the hunt to find this museum (local council please put up some more signs!). You will not be disappointed.
We were greeted in a very friendly manner and paid the small entrance fee. They receive no funding and rely on visitors and donations. The first room grabbed us and we spent a good hour looking around reading all the information about Piper Bill Millins and his exploits on D-Day. What a story, what a man! He lived in Dawlish for 40 years. The rest of the museum is a story and history of Dawlish which includes the Great Storm of 2014 which virtually washed the railway line away and caused so much damage to the town.
It is well worth the hunt to find this museum (local council please put up some more signs!). You will not be disappointed.
Written June 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daisymay146
21 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
This museum was very well looked after and it was only £2, entry fee. Very interesting. You could spend a good couple of hours looking round. Needs more advertising that its there though, we found it by chance.
Written August 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
9 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Stayed at Dawlish Warren in August of 2015, and went for a walk along the sea wall to Dawlish. We've been here a couple of times, and as the kids are now 14 & 15, decided it was time to visit the Dawlish Museum.
To be honest, I was expecting it to be a little bit boring, and only interesting to the locals, but I was quite surprised. In fact, I found it to be a bit of a gem.
As others have said, it looks quite small from the outside, but it soon opens up once you're in, and at £5 for a family ticket, you can't grumble !
Set over 3 floors and 11 rooms, it's packed with D-Day stuff, the sea wall damage, local history, a 1940's shop, dressing up for kids, old cameras etc...it's all there !
On the way out we had a quick chat with a couple of the elderly volunteers who were absolutely lovely and friendly, and they even gave us advice (a bit of local knowledge goes a long way) about where to get the best views for the Dawlish Air Show, which was at that time, a couple of days away.
My wife and I loved it, and even our 14 & 15 year old lads were hooked !
A true little gem, indeed...
Kev Smallman, Birmingham, UK.
To be honest, I was expecting it to be a little bit boring, and only interesting to the locals, but I was quite surprised. In fact, I found it to be a bit of a gem.
As others have said, it looks quite small from the outside, but it soon opens up once you're in, and at £5 for a family ticket, you can't grumble !
Set over 3 floors and 11 rooms, it's packed with D-Day stuff, the sea wall damage, local history, a 1940's shop, dressing up for kids, old cameras etc...it's all there !
On the way out we had a quick chat with a couple of the elderly volunteers who were absolutely lovely and friendly, and they even gave us advice (a bit of local knowledge goes a long way) about where to get the best views for the Dawlish Air Show, which was at that time, a couple of days away.
My wife and I loved it, and even our 14 & 15 year old lads were hooked !
A true little gem, indeed...
Kev Smallman, Birmingham, UK.
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William S
Coventry, UK21 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
We visit Dawlish a few times a year and had never visited this lovely museum until this year .
We were very surprised at how well it is displayed and run - Well worth a visit - All the exhibits are well displayed and of great interest , should be of value to both adults and children .
Great place to visit !!!
We were very surprised at how well it is displayed and run - Well worth a visit - All the exhibits are well displayed and of great interest , should be of value to both adults and children .
Great place to visit !!!
Written July 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Devon60
United Kingdom163 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
This is a small but full of interesting stuff to see,including the Famous Bill Millins bag pipes that he played on the beaches during the D.Day landings.
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin E
Pilning, null, United Kingdom21 contributions
Found this little museum while walking around Dawlish. Really good and seemed much bigger as you walked around it. Lots of interesting things and friendly staff. Kids enjoyed doing the questionnaire.
Written May 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eunever
Devon UK62 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
For the history of Dawlish you will discover it all in this small ,friendly, personal museum. The volunteers who give so much of their time for the upkeep of this exciting ,interesting journey into the past .So many treasures and photos of Dawlish ..Make sure you visit if you are in the area ..You will not be disappointed .There are 3 floors but they have a chairlift.
Written November 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MalcolmMcC
Exmouth, UK32 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Great local museum covering a variety of local information and history. Over 3 floors.
We stayed for much longer than expected!
We stayed for much longer than expected!
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JackJobson
Teignmouth, United Kingdom8 contributions
Are there many stairs/steps ?
Andrew W
Dawlish, UK25 contributions
The ground floor is all on the level with a few steps down to the small garden but it can be accessed via the garden gate on request. There are stairs to the first floor but a stairlift is available with a spare wheelchair at the top too. The very top floor has a small staircase which wouldn't be accessible to a wheelchair user.
clarepotter98
Somerset, UK
How much is it please
Andrew W
Dawlish, UK25 contributions
£2 for adults,only £1 for children and concessions plus a family ticket (2 adults 2 children) is £5 with free return as often as you like for 7 days.
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Claim your listingDawlish Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Dawlish Museum
- Dawlish Museum is open:
- Wed - Fri 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Hotels near Dawlish Museum:
- (0.02 mi) Mimosa Holiday Cottage
- (0.09 mi) The Hidden House: Family friendly home in Dawlish
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- Restaurants near Dawlish Museum:
- (0.12 mi) Gurkha Restaurant
- (0.11 mi) Siew May Take Away
- (0.11 mi) No1 Cafe
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- (0.13 mi) Chips a'hoy